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What parents need to know

Each character has their own special attack, and the focus of the game is beating up the bad guys. Shrek will continue to punch guys until they fall down and eventually disappear.

Sex

Not applicable

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

Part of the Shrek franchise.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this game is based on the movie of the same name, and there are three games named Shrek the Third. The version reviewed here is for the consoles -- Nintendo Wii ($50), Microsoft Xbox 360 ($50), Sony PlayStation 2 ($40) -- and for the PC ($20) and Sony PlayStation Portable ($40). While this version tracks the storyline of the movie, this game is all about beating up bad guys. Although there is no blood, you inflict pain and punishment on others to make them fall down and eventually disappear.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's it about?

This version of SHREK THE THIRD, created for the consoles (Xbox 360, PS2, and Wii), PSP, and the PC, is an action-adventure with a heavy emphasis on bashing the bad guys. It tracks the story presented in the movie, with Shrek searching the world of Far, Far Away to find the missing heir, Arthur. As players explore the 20 levels of the game, they will have the opportunity to play as Shrek, Puss-in-Boots, Donkey, Fiona, Arthur, and Sleeping Beauty.

On each level you are assigned a character and a series of quests, from playing through the level without dying, to finding a hidden geek in a locker, to destroying Captain Hook's piano. You will also need to collect coins and smash everything in sight to acquire fairy dust, the commodity that allows your character to execute special power attacks. While the game is mostly about combat, it also offers a little bit of puzzle play and six two-player Mini games (except on the PC, which only has one Mini game).

Is it any good?

QUALITY

The constant fighting gets old quickly, but the humor in the dialogue keeps it fun. If your kids like games that let them smash and bash everything in sight, then this is not a bad movie tie-in adventure. And the Mini games can be entertaining. The Nintendo DS version is the better game because it offers cooperative play for up to three players and focuses on puzzle play instead of combat.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about how developers extend the movie experience through games. Did this one stay true to the franchise? If you were responsible for developing a video game based on the Shrek character, what would your game look like? What makes the world of Shrek fun to play in?

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When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.Read more

About Our Rating System

The age displayed for each title is the minimum one for which it's developmentally appropriate. We recently updated all of our reviews to show only this age, rather than the multi-color "slider." Get more information about our ratings.

What parents and kids say

a fun action game for kids 10 and up!

this game is a great game! if you have a 10 year old kid looking for a fun action game...this is it!!!
violence: punching,kicking,and sword swinging.
comerciolisem: this is a quest to help shrek's friends.
so overall this is a really good game for kids over 10! (belive me i rented it and it was the only game i played for a week!)

awsome

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